Ryan D Richards

US Patent:

20100284893, Nov 11, 2010

Filed:

Jan 11, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/685465

Inventors:

Ryan M. RICHARDS - Golden CO, US
Lifang Chen - Shanghai, CN
Juncheng Hu - Wuhan, CN

International Classification:

C01G 9/02
C01B 31/20
C07C 29/159

US Classification:

4234371, 423622, 568840, 977762

Abstract:

ZnO structures comprising crystalline ZnO micro or nanorods and methods for making and using these ZnO structures are provided. The side surface of the central portion of each rod may comprise planes of the form {1 0 −1 0}, {0 1 −1 0}, {−1 1 0 0}, {−1 0 1 0}, {0 −1 1 0} or {1 −1 0 0}, with central edge regions including a crystallographic plane of the form {2 −1 −1 0} or {−2 1 1 0}. The tip of the rod may comprise planes of the form {1 0 −1 1} {0 1 −1 1}, {−1 1 0 1}, {−1 0 1 1}, {0 −1 1 1} or {1 −1 0 1} with tip edge regions including a crystallographic plane of the form {2 −1 −1 2} or {−2 1 1 2}. The rods may be joined at or near their bases to form a “flower-like” morphology. In an embodiment, a synthesis mixture is prepared by dissolving a zinc salt in an alcohol solvent, followed by addition of at least two additives. The zinc salt may be zinc nitrate hexahydrate, the first additive may be benzyl alcohol and the second additive may be urea.

US Patent:

20110143088, Jun 16, 2011

Filed:

Mar 10, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/735610

Inventors:

Ryan Richards - Golden CO, US
Juncheng Hu - Wuhan, CN

Assignee:

Jacobs University Bremen gGmbH - Bremen

International Classification:

C01G 53/04
B32B 3/24
B32B 9/00
B82Y 40/00
B82Y 30/00

US Classification:

428135, 42359419, 428220, 977896, 977755

Abstract:

Method for preparing a NiO nanosheet structure possessing (111) crystallographic planes as a primary surface with hexagonal holes, comprising the following steps: a) preparing a methanol solution of a nickel salt selected from the group consisting of nickel nitrate, nickel sulphate, nickel chlorate, nickel acetate, and nickel phosphate or a mixture thereof; b) adding benzyl alcohol (BZ), optionally substituted with alkyl, nitro, halo or amino, or a mixture thereof and urea to the solution of (a) in a ratio of Ni to BZ or substituted BZ of at least 1; c) solvent removal and calcination in air of the mixture, plate-like NiO nanosheet precursors therefore, NiO nanosheet structures obtainable by that method as well as various novel uses thereof.

US Patent:

20120261567, Oct 18, 2012

Filed:

Mar 19, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/424212

Inventors:

Kent J. Voorhees - Golden CO, US
Casey R. McAlpin - Golden CO, US
Ryan M. Richards - Golden CO, US

Assignee:

COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES - Golden CO

International Classification:

H01J 49/26
H01J 27/24
H01J 27/02

US Classification:

250282, 250281, 250424, 250423 P

Abstract:

Disclosed herein are metal oxides, metal oxide surfaces, and methods of using metal oxides and metal oxide surfaces for matrix-free analysis, identification, and characterization of small molecular mass compounds. The disclosed compounds and methods may be used with laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry. The disclosed surfaces may aid in producing mass/charge spectra having low or no interference found with traditional matrices. In some aspects, the method may be used to produce molecular ions. The disclosed compounds, surfaces, and methods may be used to analyze complex mixtures including fuels, vegetable shortening, lipid extracts from a variety of organic sources such as animals, plants, bacteria, algae, viruses, etc